Despite what you see in cheerful commercials, feel-good movies, and smile-for-the-selfie social media posts, the holiday season can be a difficult time for so many. If you or a loved one is living with a mental health condition, it can be even more challenging. A recent NAMI study showed that 64% of people with mental illness report holidays make their conditions worse.
No matter our circumstances, it is wise to be prepared for what could be a stressful or challenging time.
Below, find links to resources. As always, if you or someone you love is experiencing a mental health crisis, there is help and hope. Call 911 for emergencies; call 988 for the new mental health and suicide crisis line. For mental health support and/or resources, you can also contact the NAMI HelpLine Monday through Friday, 7 am to 7 pm PT at 1-800-950-6264 or helpline@nami.org; you may also text 62640 or live web chat NAMI at nami.org/help. For a crisis, the LA County Department of Mental Health Crisis Hotline is open 24/7 at 800-854-7771, or you can reach the Crisis Text Line by texting NAMI to 741741. You can also reach the CA Youth Crisis line at 800-843-5200. You can also find non-emergency support from the CalHOPE Warm Line. English warm line: 424-293-0645; Spanish warm line: 424-293-0646
How to Maintain Mental Health During the Holiday Season
Guide to Holiday Gatherings: Communications Tips
Family Guide: How to Handle the Holidays When a Loved One Lives with a Mental Health Condition
Self-Care Guide
Janis Black Warner Speaker Series: How to Manage Stress During the Holiday Season
Below, the video of the November 2021 session of our Janis Black Warner Speaker Series with Rabbi Nicole Guzik of Sinai Temple in Los Angeles, who discussed mental health in faith communities and how to manage stress during the holiday season.